"How about this one, Cissy?" asked Druella.
"No," Narcissa answered.
"Why not? It's elegant."
"It looks like someone killed a swan and turned it into a wedding dress," said Bellatrix.
"Bella," Druella scolded. Bellatrix shrugged.
Narcissa didn't want to admit that the dress with an abundant lace-ruffled skirt wasn't her style. Bella had worn a similar dress during her wedding to Rodolphus, and the eldest sister had hated every minute of it. "Mother, Twilfitt and Tattings has many dresses, not to mention that we still have Madam Malkin's if I don't find anything here."
"All right," Druella said and sighed. "But you know I prefer to avoid Madam Malkin's."
"I know, but it's my wedding day. I want to have the final say on my wedding dress," Narcissa emphasized the personal pronouns.
"If you don't like what you zee here, we have more in zee back, but they're not part of the Boxing Day specials," said Madam Dumont, the owner.
"It does not matter the cost; you know finances aren't an issue," said Druella. "It is the wedding of the century." Narcissa huffed at her mother's statement. She hated that her wedding was being turned into a status symbol in the Wizarding world. Though she'd be lying if she didn't admit that she was enjoying the attention.
The four women meandered to the back of the shop and perused the wedding dresses with Narcissa trying on several ones, but she still couldn't find one she liked. They were all so gaudy, and she wanted a dress that was simple yet elegant. Narcissa was certain all her mother cared about was how photogenic Narcissa and Lucius would look on the front page of The Daily Prophet and every other Wizarding publication in Great Britain. "How about this one, Cissy?"
Narcissa looked over at Bellatrix, and Bellatrix was holding up a dress with little fabric around the bosom area, not to mention the fact that it was shorter than Narcissa wanted.
"Bella, that dress is not appropriate," said Narcissa.
"I bet Lucius will think you look good in it."
Narcissa took the dress out of Bellatrix's hands and hung it back on the rack. "Maybe for after the wedding, but I'm sure Lucius does not want to feel like he's marrying some cheap whore."
"Fine," said Bellatrix. "But speaking of which, maybe while we're shopping for your wedding dress…"
"Not while Mother is with us," said Narcissa. "Besides, you know her views on martial relations. It's primarily for producing more pure-bloods."
Bellatrix snorted. "She'd hate to know about my views then."
After another thirty minutes, Narcissa still hadn't found a dress she liked, so the three witches stopped for lunch at The Leaky Cauldron before going to Madam Malkin's. But before they entered the shop, Druella said, "You know what? I'm going to stop by the Apothecary while we're here. We're running low on certain potion ingredients. I can meet you back here soon."
Bellatrix and Narcissa nodded, and Druella wandered down the street. "I don't blame Mother. This shop serves all sorts of scum."
"I know. But all of the wedding dresses at Twilfitt and Tattings were too extravagant for my tastes," said Narcissa. The two sisters entered Madam Malkin's, and Narcissa immediately spotted the dress she had been eyeing for Bellatrix and Victoria to wear. "Here's the dress I was talking about, Bella. The one for the bridesmaids' dresses." Narcissa held it up.
"It's purple."
"I know."
"I hate purple."
"But I like it, and I get to decide on what my bridesmaids wear." Bellatrix gave a sneer. "You did promise that you'd wear whatever dress I chose."
"So I did," said Bellatrix.
"And Vicky and I already did some shopping during one of our trips here the day after we got home from school for Christmas holiday. She's already purchased the dress."
"Fine, I'll go make sure this size fits me," said Bellatrix as she went to the dressing room.
Narcissa found a chair and sat down while she waited for Bellatrix to finish changing. Suddenly, a young boy with red hair came over to her. He was crying, clearly terrified about something. He tugged on Narcissa's skirt and said, "Help me find my mummy."
Narcissa had never been one to feel the desire to mother every child that came near her, but this boy clearly needed someone's help. And since no one else was around, it would have to be her. "Where did you last see your mummy?"
"Ice cream," the boy answered.
Narcissa nodded, figuring the boy meant Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, so she took his hand and said, "Let's go see if your mummy is at the ice cream parlor."
Narcissa led the boy outside, but no sooner did they step out the door when they heard someone shouting, "Bill! Bill!"
"Mummy!" the boy called.
A red-headed witch weaved her way through the crowd, pushing a pram through the throngs of Diagon Alley patrons. Once the witch was close enough to see clearly, Narcissa froze. And the other witch didn't fail to recognize Narcissa either. "N…Narcissa Black."
"Molly Prewett." Narcissa glanced at the toddler whose hand she was still holding and the infant in the stroller. "Or I'm assuming Molly Weasley now?" A quick glance at Molly's left ring finger confirmed the answer to Narcissa's question.
"Yes, Arthur and I married right after we graduated from Hogwarts in 1968."
Married for four years and two children already? She must be extremely fertile, Narcissa thought. "And I see it didn't take long for children to come into the picture."
"Yes. That's Bill: he's two. And this is Charlie. He was born on 12 December." Molly smiled at the infant.
Narcissa looked into the pram, and Charlie had soft, red hair, just like his parents and brother. "He looks like the rest of the family."
"He does," Molly said. "Arthur and I were hoping for a girl, but we're already in love with Charlie." While Narcissa would never show it around a blood traitor, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Here she was, desperately praying to Merlin for a child, and Molly Weasley already had two. "You'll probably know the feeling soon enough."
"What?" asked Narcissa, coming out of her reverie.
"I read the announcement in the newspaper about your engagement to Lucius Malfoy. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Narcissa answered politely. She knew Lucius and Arthur didn't get on well even during their Hogwarts days. Arthur Weasley was such a Muggle lover, and Lucius did everything he could to stand up for Wizard purity.
"Anyway, I promised Bill we would get ice cream if he behaved while I ran my errands. Thank you again."
Narcissa nodded curtly as Bill took his mother's hand, and the Weasleys disappeared down the street. Narcissa entered Madam Malkin's again, and Bellatrix was standing inside the front door, wearing the lavender dress. "Where were you? I've been waiting for five minutes."
"I was…I needed some fresh air," said Narcissa.
"Well, the dress fits, even though I think it's hideous," said Bellatrix. "Now, I'm changing back into my normal attire, thank you very much."
Bellatrix went back into the dressing room and reappeared just as Druella entered the shop. "Have you found a dress yet, Cissy?"
"No, I was helping Bellatrix find the correct size for the bridesmaid dress," said Narcissa. Not a complete lie.
"Well, let's hope there's something in this bloody shop," said Druella.
As the witches went through the racks of wedding dresses, Narcissa started to give up hope until she stumbled upon something in her size. The dress was short-sleeved and had crystal beading in fleur de lis patterns on the top, with a flowing lace skirt and a small chapel train to complete the look. It wasn't overly ornate, but it was perfect. "I found a dress to try on," Narcissa announced, taking the apparel into the dressing room. She closed and locked the door, slipped out of her current dress, and pulled on the wedding dress. As she gazed at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but admire her appearance. She was a beautiful witch, after all, and she knew it. She was probably having much more fun than Bellatrix had shopping for her wedding dress. Andromeda and Narcissa had quite enjoyed watching their older sister being forced into several lavish wedding dresses against her will.
A tear slid down Narcissa's cheek when she thought of Andromeda, as it was the first time today it occurred to her that, unlike Bellatrix, Andromeda wasn't going to be a part of this process. Dromeda wasn't here to help her pick out her wedding dress. She wouldn't be one of Narcissa's bridesmaids. She wouldn't attend the bridal tea. And most of all, she wouldn't be there to watch Narcissa pledge her love to her beloved till death did them part. All because of that stupid Mudblood who took her sister from her.
Narcissa put on a brave face as she stepped out of the dressing room into the main shop. Druella and Bellatrix looked over at her, and Druella gained a look of pride. "Cissy, you look gorgeous."
"Do you think Lucius will like it, Mother?"
"I do. I couldn't think of a better woman to become Mrs. Lucius Malfoy. Bella, what do you think?"
Bellatrix looked at Narcissa, and the latter assumed the former would give some sort of smart aleck remark. Needless to say, Narcissa was shocked when Bellatrix said, "You look stunning. Wasn't it just yesterday when I was helping you pick out a dress for Slughorn's Christmas party where you and Lucius had your first date? Now, you're marrying the bloke. Merlin, how is my baby sister getting married?"
"You do look beautiful," said Madam Malkin.
"So, have you finally found the dress?" asked Druella.
Narcissa looked down at the dress she was wearing and then back up at the three witches with her. "Yes." She couldn't wait for Lucius to see it as she walked down the aisle.